New Hampshire begins the electoral process with its first in the
nation primary Jan. 27.

The presidential election of 2004 presents perhaps the most important
choice of our generation.

New Hampshire begins the electoral process with its first in the nation
primary Jan. 27.

This year's presidential election is the first since the terrorist attacks
of Sept. 11, 2001. It will be a referendum not only on the leadership offered
by President Bush since that terrible day of awakening but also on whether
our political leaders understand that the world has changed and they need
to change with it.

Sadly, in our visits with the Democratic candidates for president, it
is clear that for most, nothing at all has changed.

We have heard or read little that leads us to believe Massachusetts
Sen. John F. Kerry, Missouri Congressman Richard Gephardt, former Vermont
Gov. Howard Dean and North Carolina Sen. John Edwards understand that national
security and defeating terrorism are now the overarching issues facing
our nation. Grand plans like universal health care mean little if we cannot
defend ourselves against those who would destroy us and our way of life.

Some, like Kerry and former Gen. Wesley Clark, believe our national
security rightly belongs in the hands of other nations; that alliances
and internationalism should dictate our foreign policy, even when it comes
to defending our vital interests and security.

We think Americans want a future in which our country remains brave
and free. We want a nation in which individual liberty and responsibility
are the twin foundations of success and happiness. And we want a nation
that bows in fear to no one.

Lieberman understands, as his fellow Democrats do not, that we live
in perilous times. He has been a steadfast supporter of the war on terrorism
and recognizes that the fight in Iraq is but one battle in that war. He
is among the few Democrats with the sense to acknowledge that the removal
of Saddam Hussein from power has made our nation safer and has been unafraid
to call those who suggest otherwise on their foolishness.

But Lieberman is no warmonger. He knows that while our immediate goal
must be to destroy al-Qaida and capture Osama bin Laden, our long-term
security depends on winning the hearts and minds of the Islamic world.
Iraq gives us a chance to establish a stable, modernizing, Muslim democracy
in the Middle East. He is a steadfast supporter of Israel and understands
that the Palestinian leadership must offer its people more than a seething
hatred for that country and the United States. The solution to the Palestinian
problem is in the hands of Palestinian leaders.

Domestically, Lieberman has a strong record of support for civil rights
and social justice. He remains faithful to the best policies of the Clinton
administration -- support for free trade and welfare reform.

Too often, Democrats recoil at the idea of values and faith in the public
arena. But Lieberman believes it's important for the nation to have a public
discussion of values. We are, he says, a nation founded on a belief in
God, and when we separate ourselves from that we are denying our origins.
We must have respect for people of faith.

Joe Lieberman is not a front-runner in any polls we have seen. He faces
an uphill fight to win the Democratic nomination. But we believe he's the
best Democratic candidate out there, one who would not lead our country
down a disastrous road to the past. He is a leader among the moderate voices
in his party and a check against left-wing demagoguery.

Lieberman is confident in our country. "I remain a great optimist about
our future," he says.

So do we. That's why we are proud to endorse Sen. Joe Lieberman as the
best choice for Democrats in the New Hampshire primary.Sunday, January
18, 2004

The
Eagle-Tribune is a locally owned family newspaper headquartered in North
Andover, MA. About 20 percent of the newspaper's circulation is in Southern
New Hamsphire. Eagle-Tribune Publishing publishes four daily newspapers.